Boom time for hotels

The participating hotels expect that the occupancy rates will surge during the coming weeks of DSS 2004, anticipating that it will hit 100 per cent during the ensuing weeks, based on all the bookings received till date

A majority of the reservations are from families from the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) states and other foreign tourists. The hotels and hotel apartments offer discounted rates for rooms and suites in addition to a host of other services including fantastic deals for guests, enabling huge savings and free services for families, coupled with and free overnight stay.

David Danby, Director of Marketing, Metropolitan Hotels International, said that the group has recorded 98 per cent occupancy during the first two weeks across all its properties - Metropolitan Palace Hotel, Metropolitan Sheikh Zayed Road, Metropolitan Beach Hotel, Jumeirah and Metropolitan Deira.

"Dubai Summer Surprises has generated tremendous interest and awareness of Dubai within the AGCC countries, which is reflected in our occupancy rates. We are offering special incentives at our restaurants with special focus on families. The group's hotels are also offering special rates for rooms," Mr Danby said. InterContinental Dubai is likewise brimming with guests during the Dubai Summer Surprises. Haitham Mattar, Director of Sales and Marketing at the InterCon, stated: "We achieved an 87 per cent occupancy in the month of June, and we expect the room occupancy to reach 89 per cent for July and August. While most of our guests come from the AGCC countries, we have been welcoming a number of guests from the UK and other European countries."

Ignace Bauwens, General-Manager, Accor Hotels World Trade Centre, Dubai, said that the Group has recorded 80 per cent occupancy at Novotel and Ibis has recorded 70 per cent occupancy during the first two weeks of DSS 2004.

"We cater to family needs and apart from special rates, we have also lined up special activities targeting people of different age-groups as part of our package," said Mr Bauwens.

Frederick Aldiecht, Resident Manager of Coral Deira Hotel, said that the hotel has recorded 75-80 per cent occupancy during the first two weeks of the extravaganza.

"We have finalised a grand promotion during DSS targeting mainly the families from the AGCC states. I would like to congratulate the DSS Organising Committee for putting together such a wonderful treat for the young and the old alike," he said.

Sumesh Gopal, Front Office Manager of Lotus Hotel, said that the property has recorded 90 per cent occupancy during DSS 2004 till date.